Top 5 tips for a comprehensive literature review

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Transcript of Top 5 tips for a comprehensive literature review

Top 5 tips for a comprehensive literature review1 Define your search before you startThink about:What research has already been done on this topic? What are the sub-areas of the topic you need to explore? What other research (perhaps not directly on the topic) might be relevant to your investigation? How do these sub-topics and other research overlap with your investigation?2 Think about your search termsWhat are the keywords of the topic?Are there any related words which might be used?How do the keywords link together?Be prepared to change your keywords as you research the topic3 Search more than one databaseDon't just use Google! Try:SummonGoogle ScholarWeb of ScienceGEOBASEScopusScienceDirect4 Keep recordsRecord what you do and what results you get by using a particular combination of keywordsWhen you find relevant material, keep a full bibliographic record as you go so you don't have to find the same thing againConsider using bibliographic software to help with this e.g. EndNote, LaTeXMore information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/studyadvice/StudyResources/Essays/sta-startinglitreview.aspxMore information:

http://www.reading.ac.uk/library/finding-info/training/lib-liblearn-tutorials.aspxhttp://www.reading.ac.uk/library/eresources/databases/lib-google-scholar.aspxhttp://www.reading.ac.uk/library/eresources/databases/lib-geobase.aspxhttp://www.reading.ac.uk/library/eresources/ejournals/lib-sciencedirect.aspxhttp://www.reading.ac.uk/library/eresources/databases/lib-web-of-science-core.aspxhttp://www.reading.ac.uk/library/using/catalogues/lib-summon.aspxMore information:http://www.reading.ac.uk/library/finding-info/endnote/lib-endnote.aspx Guides to LaTeX in the Library at 655.28 or online (search Enterprise)5 Make the most of your databaseSummon:Summon will only find material in University of Reading Library

Google Scholar/ScienceDirect:Set options to find material in University of Reading Library

Web of Science/GEOBASE/Scopus:Use search operators to produce a precise searchUse the 'Search for items at Reading' button for full textRegister (free) to allow you to save and re-run searches

Web of Science:Use the cited search option to search for key texts

More information:Library guides or Tips sheets are available for Web of Science, GEOBASE and Scopus, or use the database Help pagesBackup your data!Credit: Wellcome Library, London"The scream".Lithograph 1895 By: Edvard MunchCollection: Wellcome Imageshttp://www.reading.ac.uk/library/eresources/databases/lib-scopus.aspx